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Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog)
The A-10 Thunderbolt II features the awesome tank-killing 30mm GAU-8/A gatling Gun.
By Staff Writer
The uniquely-designed A-10 Thunderbolt II (its namesake derived from the World War II piston-engine fighter/bomber - the P-47 Thunderbolt) was specifically developed as a close-support anti-tank killing machine. The A-10 would have to be able to operate in the most hazard of low-altitude conditions, provide a good amount of low-altitude maneuverability and allow for a top sub-sonic speed to be achieved. The system took many facets of that role into account which, in turn, generated the identifiable design that most are accustomed to seeing. The system - as the YA-10A - faced off directly with a Northrop product designated as the YA-9, with the Fairchild system coming out ahead.
Originally a Republic Aviation design, the A-10 fell under control of Fairchild after Republic's acquisition. The A-10 Thunderbolt II was designed with crew survivability in mind coupled with the ever-changing facets found on the modern battlefield. As such, the A-10 is reinforced throughout with protective armor that serves key elements of the internal structure. The pilot himself sits in an armored "bathtub" and all control systems are doubled for a redundancy system should one component on one side fail due to enemy fire. Engines are mounted high on the fuselage to protect it from enemy small arms fire and the wings are of straight wing design, affording the system increased drag for take off and landings and increased maneuverability required at lower altitudes.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II was designed around the powerful tank-killing GAU-8/A 30mm cannon which operates on the gattling principle. The rotating barrels can fire off up to 1,174 rounds of armor-piercing depleted uranium shells effectively destroying any known armor on the battlefield. The length of the overall gone is described in some sources as that of a Volkswagen Beetle!
Additionally, the A-10 can fit a variety of air-to-ground and air-to-air munitions on its impressive eleven hardpoints. This array would include the standard AGM-65 Maverick missile, AIM-9 Sidewinder, laser-guided bombs and iron or "dumb" bombs.
Though its role has diminished in recent years, the A-10 is still in full force with the Air Force Reserve and US National Guard Units, seeing action in Operation Iraqi Freedom. An observation variant exists that is lightly armed and fulfills a forward air control role. Beyond that the system has been built in limited numbers and soley for the United States of America. It should remain in service for several more years to come but ultimately replaced in favor of the new generation of stealth aircraft (built on supercruise technology with vectoring thrust capabilities) on the horizon.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II is affectionately known by her crews as the "Warthog", based on the unconventional (and relatively ugly) appearance of the aircraft.
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No Reproduction Without Permission • Corrections / Comments to MilitaryFactory at Gmail dot com
Last Revision: 9/11/2009
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| Specifications for the Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II (Warthog) |
 Dimensions: |
Length: 53.31ft (16.25m)
Width:57.51ft (17.53m)
Height: 14.67ft (4.47m)
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| Performance: |
About MACH |
Max Speed: 439mph (707kmh; 382kts)
Max Range: 474miles (763km)
Rate-of-Climb: 6,000ft/min (1,829m/min)
Service Ceiling: 34,695ft (10,575m; 6.6miles)
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| Structure: |
Accommodation: 1
Hardpoints: 11
Empty Weight: 27,999lbs (12,700kg)
MTOW: 51,998lbs (23,586kg)
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| Powerplant: |
| Engine(s): 2 x General Electric TF34-GE-100 non-afterburning turbofan engines generating 9,065lbs of thrust each. |
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| Armament Suite: |
1 x 30mm GAU-8/A 7-Barrel Gatling Gun
Up to 16,000 pounds (7,200 kilograms) of mixed ordnance on eight under-wing and three under-fuselage pylon stations, including:
Mk-82 Series 500lb Bombs, Mk-84 Series 2,000lb Bombs, Incendiary Cluster Bombs, Combined Effects Munitions, Mine Dispensing Munitions, AGM-65 Maverick Missiles, Paveway Laser-guided / Electro-Optically Guided Bombs, Infra-red Countermeasure Flares, Electronic Countermeasure Chaff, Jammer Pods, 2.75-inch Rocket Pods, Illumination Flares and AIM-9 Sidewinder Air-to-Air Missiles.
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| Pictures of the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog) |
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Aircraft Quick Profile |
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| 1976 |
Designation: Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog)
Classification Type: Close Air Support / Forward Air Control
Contractor: Fairchild Republic - USA
Country of Origin: United States
Production Total: 713 |
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| Variants |
YA-10A - Initial Prototype Model Designation of which 2 were produced.
A-10A - Base Production Model; dedicated close air support; single-seat.
YA-10B - Proposed Twin-Seat Prototype; all-weather weapons platform; single example.
A-10C - Upgraded/Improved A-10 system; made operational in September of 2007; redesigned glass cockpit; improved datalink; improved weapons capability.
OA-10A - Observation Variant Model / Dedicated Forward Air Control (FAC); single-seat.
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